Meet our childcare professionals and support staff
Louise Gourmelen
Manager
As Manager and Lead Practitioner of Holy Corner Community Playgroup I provide mindful leadership to ensure that our values of community and play underpin all our care and child-led learning provision, and that children and families stay at the heart of everything we do.
I bring diverse professional experience and education to my role, including a specific practice qualification in Childhood Practice. My practice is child-led, playful and kind, always respecting the rights of the child as individual, and my special research interest is in creative arts practice in Early Years Learning.
I live in the local community and as a parent, care about preserving our community spaces for children of all ages. Holy Corner Community Playgroup is an uplifting and positive community environment in which to work and learn, and I am grateful to be part of a knowledgeable, caring and passionate team.
Fahmida Yasmin
Early Years Practitioner
I joined the team in November 2019, and I work 5 days a week. I have an HNC in childcare, and I have experience working with children of different ages in a variety of settings, as well as being a mum of 3 myself!
I have always loved working with children, and I believe Holy Corner Playgroup provides a very nurturing environment. I really enjoy doing arts and crafts with the children, and I love reading them stories. I can also speak Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi.
Carol Malkin
Lead Early Years Practitioner
I joined the team at Holy Corner after completing my SVQ in Social Services (Children and Young People). I work 5 mornings. After a successful 17 years working as a Cabin Crew for Virgin Atlantic I was inspired to retrain in Early Years after watching my son thrive in a child led and nurturing environment at Playgroup, and have now been working with young children for several years in community settings.
Spending most of my childhood outside has fostered a lifelong love of the outdoors, and all things muddy. I spent many summers working in children’s outdoor adventure camps and was a Girl Guide Young Leader and now a Rainbow Leader in training. I enjoy facilitating play in the natural environment and embracing the seasons. I love to cook and bake and believe it’s never too early to involve the children in the preparation of healthy snacks.
Manon Booth
Business and Development Manager
I joined the team in April 2023. With a background in Physiotherapy, I initially pursued a career in that field. However, after going on maternity leave and experiencing the joys of motherhood, I realized my passion lay in supporting children.
My journey led me to Holy Corner Community Playgroup (HCCP), where my daughter has been attending for nearly 1.5 years. I couldn't have asked for a better early years setting for her. Deeply impressed by HCCP's approach to children's development, I began volunteering on the parent committee over a year ago. Throughout this time, I have gained invaluable experience by actively participating in more than half of the committee roles.
When the opportunity to become the Business Manager arose, I knew it was the perfect fit for me. With my in-depth knowledge of the playgroup, its staff, and the exceptional care provided, joining the staff team was a natural and fulfilling progression for me.
My responsibilities include supporting the playgroup with banking and payroll, fostering strong relationships with the parent committee, and serving as a liaison between HCCP, stakeholders and regulatory bodies, such as the Edinburgh Council and the Care Inspectorate.
I am thrilled to be part of this wonderful team, and I look forward to contributing to the continued success and growth of HCCP.
Emily Elgey
Early Years Practitioner
I joined the team in September 2022 after recently moving up to Edinburgh in September 2021, and I work at the playgroup on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Alongside this job I also work as part of the after-school team at Craiglockhart primary school two days a week.
My previous studies within childcare include childcare Level 2 and Level 3, Teaching Assistant Level 2 and Level 3 and my latest course which was a Foundation Degree in Early Years.
My experience working with children whilst studying included working in a variety of settings including nurseries and schools in the foundation stages classes. Both of these have allowed me to work alongside children of different ages from birth to seven years. I have also built confidence in myself which has allowed me to enjoy reading stories to children, helping them learn and develop whilst also having fun.
For several years now, I have also been running my own babysitting service and recently since covid I have been providing care for children during school holidays.
Since I was 7 years old, I have been an active member of Girlguiding. This has now allowed me to become a leader at a Rainbows unit, where I organise activities for 14 girls aged 5 to 7 years. For as long as I can remember, I have always enjoyed spending time with young children. Family and friends have always commented that a career in childcare or teaching is meant for me, so I am so grateful to be part of this team and see where my future takes me in Early Years.